Harp



M. A. CLARK.

HARP.

APPUCATON FILED IAN. 27.1919- l ,847, Patented F61). 14, 1922.

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HARP.

APPucATloN FILED 1AN.27. |919.

Patented'feb. 14, 1922.

NVE ron vUNITED sTAijgssurjENT OFFICE.

MELVILLE A. CLARK, or sYnAcUsE, NEW YORK.

HARP.

Application ined 'January 27, i919. 'serial No. 273,284.

To all tti/Lem t may concern.'

Be it known that I, MnLviLLn A. CLARK, of Syracuse, inthe county of QnOndaga, in` the' State of New York, have invented new` and useful Improvements in Harps, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in harps similar in some respects to that shown inV my pending application No. 119,194, liled September 9, 1916, iii so yfar as it is 'directed to relatively small harps having a proportionately larger number ofY strings than'the standard large harps, and also to the use of hand operated means operable from either side of vthe neck of the harp for fretting various groups Vof stringsv of like denomination,reference being had to my Patent 1,351,468 issued August 31, 1921.

The distinctive objects, however, of my present invention are.:-

First, to place the fret-operating handles along the lower edge of the neck some distance below the system yof frets so that they may be quickly and conveniently adjusted by a slight movement of'either hand from its playing position." y

Second, to progressively raise the pitch of the same group of strings Aat least two halftones above their normal pitch by continued rotary movement of a single liaiid-piece in the same direction.

Third, to enable the operating means for the movable frets to automatically lock the frets in their fretting positions.

Fourth, to permit the movable frets of either row for strings of like denomination to be operated by either hand from either side of the neck of the harp.

Fifth, to provide the opposite faces of each fret-operating handle with distinctive markings which will enable the operator to visually determine at a glance the positions of the various groups of frets of either row.

Sixth, to make the handleshmore or less luminous whereby the markings thereon may be readily seen in the dark,fand

Seventhto provide the several strings with visible markings arranged along aline to indicate the position at rwhich the strings may be engaged by the lingers to produce the most effective tones.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of theinstrument will be brought out inthe following description.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

iii the drawings- Figure --1`V is a side elevation of the harp empodying the various features of my invention.

.Figure 5 2* is a fragmentary elevation oi' a portion of one of the the harmonic fingering mark thereon.

Figure -3" is systemv of movable frets including the kindividual operating mechanisms for lthe several groups of strings of like denomination and the supporting frame for said frets and mechanism, portions of the protruding ends oft-lie Vtuning pins on the neck of the harp being also shown.

Figure -s4- is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional 'view through the neck of the harp taken on line 11`4, Figure -1-, showing one side of the handles of one of the fret `operating mechanisms.

Figure -5- is a reverse face view of the same operating handles shown in Figure -4` and crank shaft upon which theyL are mounted.

Figure `V6- is 4a transverse vertical sectional View through the neck of the harp as seen in Figure 8, showing more particularlv the bearings for the fret u relative positions ofthe link mechanisms.

Figure -7- is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view through the neck of the harp showing the link connections between the several crank shafts for operating the various groups of strings of like denomination, the adjacent portions of the column. front post and strings being shown in elevation.

Figure -8- is an venlarged longitudinal vertical sectional Lview through the portion of the neck of lthe harp showing more particularly` the means for progressively operating the upper and lower rows of frets, the dotted lines indicating the different positions of the crank shaft and links in effecting the adjustment 'of the frets from their normal positions, shown by full lines.

The frame ofthe harp is substantially triangular in outline and consists of a` rear column k1` and front post -2-, and a neck -3 connecting the upper ends of the column +1- and post -2-'- both of which latter are rigidly united at the bottom to form a unitary structure, the column -1- being provided with the usual sounding board -4-- The strings as -5- are disposed in one spindles and the strings showing and the same plane and have their lower ends attached in the usual manner to the lon-` gitudinal center of f the sounding board --4-, while their upper ends are disposed at one and the .same side of the neck 3-, and are attached to suitable. tuning pins -6 ,which are journaled in appropriatev bearings in the upper section of the neck, -3 the latter being provided with the usual'rests close Ato the tuning pins -6-- and, across which the strings are tightly Vdrawn for proper tensioning andl spacingpurposes.

in order that the maximum number of strings may be employed the tuningpins are continued throughout practically the entire length of the neekof the harp so that the system of strings extends practically the entire'length ofA the column andloeyondrV 'the Afront edges 'of 'theupper portion ofthe post as shown more Vclearly in `figure '-1-, thus affording a rela-tively wide range of tonesy in a harp of comparatively small size.

The Vmajority of the intermediate strings are provided with visibleinarkings F-S-f arranged at points along aline mostesuitable for engagement of the strings by the lingers for producing Y the desired Vtone cualitf` or harmonics yand is articularl useful for .beginners in'learning the proper fingering of the strings.

VThe frame ofthe harp is usually ymade from a selected quality'of wood and in this instance the lower portion of the neck is chambered or partially vcut away at 94- to Vreceive portions of the Voperating mechanisms for the frets, but the neck is otherwiseV reinforcedby metal plates '-10fwhich are sefcured alongrtheir upper edgesvby screws fio -llto opposite faces of the neck 3 and extend downwardly therefrom in transversely spaced relation to form a supporting frame for the frets and theirl operating A mechanism f ln'order that the pitch or key of the various strings may be varied at least two semi tonesfrom their normal pitch or key two `distinetims rows V'of fretting devices one above theV` other are provided kso that each string may be engaged or fretted atltwo dinerent points in itsV length toproduce a Vcorresponding number of changes in the effective vibratorylengthof said string.

ylhese fretting devices are substantially` identical inthat each comprises a rock shaft n412-- journaled in suitable kbearings in the Y VoppositeV plates-'lO- and having its end adjacent to the strings provided with a head -13- having Vvone or more fretting pins 14s.- QI engagement with the correspond-fV ing 'string as the shaft ^l2fis rocked about its axisin the manner hereinafter de-V i scribed, the diameter ofthe heads 1B- being 'gradually increased vas theflength of i i, e v I n the strings increases the heads ior the interv a a a mediate and longer strings being vusually provided with two pins lllwhile the heads for the shorter strings near the column -1- are preferably provided with a single Y pin as shown more clearly in ligure -1-.

One end of each rock shaft is preferably tapered at l5- for wedging engagement in its bearing in the adjacent plate -lO-, the opposite end being journaled in a bushL ino' 16- containing a springe-17m by which the rock shaft l2- is spring pressed endwiseto frictionally bind the cone 15- in its'bearing, and thereby assist in hold-- ,ing the fretting device in adjusted position.

Each rock shaft is provided Vwith a crank arm -18V rigid thereon, those for the fretting devices in each row for the strings of like denomination being connectoperation of any one ofthe fretting devices of either 'row will causeA the simultaneousv operation of all lthe fretting devices for all of the strings of like denomination inthe same row. i f Y lt, therefore, follows that the'pitch of any Vone set of strings of like denomination may y be raised one half tone above normal bythe operation of the corresponding rfretting devices of the upper row,and that by adjusting the corresponding set yof frettiiigV devices of the lower row, the pitch of the,

saine strings will be raised another'half tone by reason of the. changes in theqeective Y vibratory lengths of said strings.

rlhe fretting devices of the upper, row are ico arranged to raise the pitch of their respectiveY strings half tone while those of the lower row are arranged to further raise theV pitchof the same stringsranotherhalf tone, the if'arious strings being normally tuned a half tone below the natural key in which.

the continual movement of' the hand-piece another step in the saine direction.

Asponding ,frettingfdeviceofthe lower row by i Y On the'other hand if any group of strings are to be flatted it is simply necessary to release and restorethe correspondingfretting i' devices of both rows at Vwhich time those strings will producethetones at which they are 'normally set.; Y Y ln the use of'two frettingdevices for engaging the same string atdifferent points in its length, as yjust previously explained it is i desirable to provide means for operating Athernin sequence, asfor exampleithe upper one first, followed by thev operation ofthe y lower one, orin other words the operation of the upperlfretting devices'of each group of strings followed bythe operationlof the lower set of fretting devices corresponding to the same groupl through the vmedium of a Y single .han :l-r ock-shaft or equivalent handoperated device vand suitable means for transmitting motion from said rock shaft to the particular sets of fretting devices of both rows which are adapted to be operated in sequence. Y Y

F or this purpose is provided a plurality of `in this instance seven rock shafts `-20-,

one for each group of strings of like denomination, journaled in the opposite plates -10- preferably below fretting devices, as shown more clearly `in Figures 4, '7, and 8, each provided with a crank arm -2lconnected by a link 22- to one of the'crank shafts 12- of one set of the lower fretting devices corresponding to a particular group lof strings, whereby the rocking of said shaft `20- from its normal position through a predetermined arc will cause a similar rockingy movementof the corresponding set of rock shafts l2- of the lower row through the medium of the lower connecting links 19-. The pins 14- of the lower row of the fretting devices are normally positioned in such relation to their stringsthat this initial rocking movement of the rock shafts --20` will effect the movement of the corresponding fretting devices of the lower row through only apart (in this'instance substantially half) of its complete arc of movement necessary to engage the adjacent strings, but on the 'other hand is sufficient to effect the adjustment of the-upper fretting devices for the same strings to their fretting positions. Y 1

For this latter purpose one of each group of the lower row of rock shafts *12- (pref erably the group nearest the post -2) is provided with a cam -23- for engaging and operating a bell-crank lever -QL- by which motion is transmitted to the sponding rock-shafts 12- row. s

In other words the first seven rock shafts --12-A from the left of the upper row are directly over their companion rock shafts 12` of the lower row, and are provided with additional crank arms -25-, each of which is operatively connected by its bellcrank lever -24-- to Iits companion cam -23- on the lower rock shaft 1%.

These bell-cranksare mounted on suitable cross pins -26- which are supported in the opposite plates -10-, the upper end of said bell-cranks being engaged with pivot-al 1 pins 27- on their respective crank arms -25--, while their lower ends are provided with bearings -28- riding against the faces of of the upper their respective cams -23-- Referring now to Figure 8* it will be seen that one of the rock shafts -20-'is rocked fromV its normal 4position through the lower row ofV correating means may practically a'quarter turn it will transmit similar rocking movement to one of the lower rock shafts l2- through the medium of its link 2Q- a-nd that similar rocking movement will be transmitted to the group of lower yshafts 12- corresponding to the strings of like denomination through the medium of the lower links -19-, thereby operating the corresponding` cam -23-- against the lower end of the bell-crank lever 2el* and causing the latter to shift the companion upper fretting device to its fretting position, and through the upper links -l9- will cause the operation of the upper fretting device of the same group.

It is now clear that one group of the upper row of fretting devices have been shifted to their fretting positions at which time the lower end of the corresponding bellcrank lever -24- will have been engaged by a concentric portion of the cam -23- which will serve to hold the previously adjusted upper fretting members in their fretting positions, while at the same time the rock shafts of the corresponding lower group may be rocked to a still greater arc by conthereby causing the same strings to be fretted at different points in their lengths.

Any suitable means may be provided for frictionally `holding the fretting device and their operating means in their adjusted positions, said means consisting in this instance in providing each of the shafts -20- with a notched-disc --30` co-operating with a spring 31- for engaging in said notches, as shown more clearly in Figure 8-.

By reversing the operation of the shaft -20- the fretting devices and their operhe restored to their normal positions aided by a suitable retractin spring -32'- Figures -7- and -8-.

*ach of the rock shafts -20-- preferably extends beyond the outer faces of the opposite plates -l0-y and is provided with duplicate handles -33- one lat each end to permit the fretting devices to be operated by either hand from either side of the harp, as may be most convenient to the operator when playing.

These handles are preferably fiat and their opposite faces are distinctive by different color, as for example, white and black, as shown in yFigures -4 and -5, the white sides facing the operator when the fretting devices are in their normal positions, and when adjusted toset the fretting devices of the upper row the handles will be edgewise toward the operator by the first quarter turn or when turned throughl an Varc of vsubstantially 18()UV for Vadjusting the lower fretting devices to their fretting position the black sides will be presented to theoperator,and it therefore folvlowsthat, he can determine at a'glance the position. of the fretting devices of either row.

The handles on the several rock shafts, *20vare lettered to correspond to thev Another importantV feature of the invenl tion lies in the means by which the operat- 20 ing mechanism for the several groups of fretting fdevices `may be; automatically' locked in its adjusted position and Vfor this purpose the ends of the links --22v which are connected to the crankarms -21- of a manner as to allow the pivotal connection Yof those parts to assume a dead-center position, andalso to limit their movement beyond such position, Vas shown more clearly by dotted lines in Figure .-8--.

In operation, assuming that the strings are vnormally latted vor tuned a half tone below the natural in which the selection Y is to be ,played'whereupon the handles '-33- S5 may be turned a quarter turn in the direction indicated bydotted lines Figure -.-8- Vthereby adjustingall of the-frets and bringing the `strings Vto the natural key, Vthen if any 'one group of. strings-are to be flatteditis simply necessary to restore the corresponding rock shaft 20- andv fretting device operated thereby to their normal position by a slight turning movement of one or the other o-f the-handlesl--SB- onV the ends of said rock shaft. Y .4

On the other hand if it is desired tosharp any particular group of strings-it isneces-V saryto turnthe corresponding rock shaft -20V through Vanother quarter Vturn from the position -to which it had been previously *adjusted to bring the strings tothe natural key.

' From the-.foregoing description ift-'will be readily seen-that the sharping or flatting.

' .of any group of stringsmay be easily and quickly efectedyby a slightturnf'of one or otherof the handles +33- o-f therock Y shafts correspondingto-the strings to be fretted.Y

. --20-7d and their operating handles e33- are arranged inclose proximity to the lower edgerofthe neck-S-if and some distance below the system of fretting devices which VG5 brings the handles as closely as possibleto the rock shafts -20fare curved in suchl the same string, hand operated vmeans mount-V operating the Vother action.

It will be.V noter-lV pthatthe Vrock-.shaftsthe hands of the playervso that Vthe fretting devices may be easily and quickly adjusted-Y byV aslight movement of either hand'J fromthe strings to the handles without appreciable break or omissions in the selection or inconvenience to the operator. i

WhatI claim is: j' Y 1. In a double action harp, two fretting actions, hand operated actuating means for one ofy the actions mounted on the neck of V the harp, and means for transmitting motion from thelast ,namedV actionz to the other action. v H y v j L 2. In a double action harp,v a plurality of frettingactions, hand operated means on the neck of the harp for operatingkone of said actions, and means actuated-by the last named action for causing the frets of another Y action to engageits strlngs'before those of said last named action engages its strings.

3. In adouble'action harp, Ythe combina'- tion VVof upper andlower fretting actions, hand operated means on the neck of theV harp for operating the lower action and means actuated by the vlower action for operating the upper action-'to its fretting position earlier than the lower action.

L1-In a 'double action harp, lower and upper frettin devices for the same stri-ng, hand operatec means mounted onthe'neck o-f the harp vand adjustable-to one position for causing a limited movement of one of-` the Adevices before engaging the' string Vand to another position for causing said-rettingdevice .to engage the string, andri'neansac-AV tua-ted by the' first Vlii'nited, movement offsaid fretting device for causing the other fretting device to engage the string. 5. In a double .action`harp, lowerand upper fretting devices for engaging one andY ed on the neck of the harp and :Vi-djustable to one ,position'for causing a limitedV move- -ment of the lower fret-ting' device before engaging a string and to: anotherpo'sition 110 for causing said fretting -dcvice to engage the string, andmeans actuated by the irst named adjustment for causing the uppeil Y fretting device tofengage the string. -L

G.' In a double action` harp, lower and up- 115 per fretting actions,Y operating means Yforv one ofthe actions mounted onV the neck of the harp, a camactuated by the last named faction, and means actuated by the cam for 7. In adouble action harp, the combination of lower and Vupper fretting actions, operating means for the vlower action mount-V ed on the neck of the harp, and means actuated bythe lower action for moving `the upper action to itsfretting position before the lower action reaches its fretting position.v

8. In a double actiony harp, the combina-5V. tion of lower and Yupper fretting actions,

hand operated means mounted on the neck of the harp for adjusting the lower action to its fretting position and automatically locking itin that position, and means actuated by the lower action for moving the upper action to its fretting position and automatically locking it in that position before the lower action reaches its retting position.

9. In a-double action harp,alower set of fret operating spindles and anl upper set of fret operating spindles for strings of like name rotatably mounted on the neck `of theharp and provided with crank arms, links connecting the crank arms of the lower spindles, additional links connecting the crank arms of the upper spindles, a hand operated crankshaft journaled on the neck of the harp, a link pivotally connected to the crankshaft and to-one of the crank arms of the lower set of fretting vspindles vfor adjusting the lower set of spindles to their frettino` positions as the crank-shaft is adjusted to a certain position, said crank-shaft and link connected thereto being providedy with cooperative means for locking the lower ac- Vtion in its fretting position, and means actuated by the rotary adjustment of one of the lower spindles for adjusting the upper action to its retting position before the lower action reaches its fre-tting position.

10. In a. harp Vof the character described, the combination of a movable fret and operating means therefor including a rock-shaft extending transversely of the neck of the harp and handles on opposite ends of the rock shaft.

l1. In a harp of the character described7 movable frets for engaging the same string at different points in its length and means including a handle adjustable to diferent positions for operating said frets in sequence, said handle having its opposite faces distinctive and arranged to successively face the operator in its different positions.

In witnesswhereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th dav of January, 1919.

MELVILLE A. CLARK. Witnesses H. E. CHASE, J. M. MONAMARA. 

